Chairman of the Bahamas Trade Commission, Sen. Hon. Barry Griffin appeared on The Rundown talk show this week where he discussed trade diversification.
Griffin told show host Clint Watson, “we’re working with a Bahamian company that’s bringing products from Africa. We’re working with companies that are bringing products from the Caribbean. So we’re looking into Jamaica, Trinidad for snack food products, for sauces and seasonings that Bahamians love and are used to all as an alternative to the US market. As Minister Mitchell would have said the US is our strongest and most dominant trading partner and that’s not going to change any time soon. However, to ease the burden of the cost of living on Bahamians and also to protect our supply chain and national security its important to diversify so that when there are fluctuations and disruptions in the market we already have great relationships with other sources where we can get great products.”
Accompanying Senator Griffin on the show as Lilliano Russell of Russell & Russell, a company that specializes in supply chains. Russell explained how the Procurement Act will assist in global sourcing of goods. He said, “with our experience purchasing in alternative markets outside of America is there is a communication barrier, that’s one challenge. A lot of Bahamians are receptive to purchasing outside of America into different regions but the question is if I go to Brazil or if I go to Columbia, Costa Rica the prices are good but the next question is how do I get the products out.
The Rundown talk show airs on ZNS TV Monday-Thursday at 8pm.
